Isaiah 20:3
And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
The three years (712-709 BCE) preceded major Assyrian campaigns against Egypt (701 BCE and later). This warning period demonstrated God's mercy—providing time for repentance and reconsideration before judgment fell. Judah's politicians advocating Egyptian alliance had three years to observe Isaiah's warning and reconsider. Some did heed—Hezekiah ultimately trusted God rather than Egypt during 701 crisis, resulting in miraculous deliverance. The sustained sign-act also validated prophecy's seriousness—brief dramatic gestures might be dismissed, but three years indicated unwavering divine commitment to the message. Church history shows God similarly provides warning before judgments—giving opportunity for repentance while demonstrating justice when warnings are ignored.
Questions for Reflection
- What does three years' duration teach about God's patience in providing warning before judgment?
- How did the sustained sign-act validate the prophecy's seriousness versus brief symbolic gestures?
- In what ways does God demonstrate both mercy (warning) and justice (following through) in temporal judgments?
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Analysis & Commentary
'And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia.' God explains the sign: Isaiah's three years of humiliation prefigures Egypt and Ethiopia's coming shame. 'Sign and wonder' (oth umopheth) indicates miraculous testimony—not just unusual but divinely authenticated message. The three-year duration intensified impact—not brief dramatic gesture but sustained witness demonstrating seriousness and certainty of prophecy. This embodied warning demonstrated God's patience—providing extended warning before judgment. The phrase 'my servant Isaiah' honors the prophet's faithful obedience. Despite personal cost, Isaiah maintained the sign for three full years. This models costly discipleship—God's servants must sometimes bear shame for faithful witness (Hebrews 11:36-38; 13:13).